Latest news with #LakeCountyHealthDepartment
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
First human case of West Nile virus of 2025 reported in Lake County, Illinois
The Lake County Health Department reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Lake County for the year. The infected resident is in their 70s and became sick in early July, health officials confirmed in a written release. According to the Lake County Health Department, nine out of 214 batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus so far this year. West Nile virus peaks in late summer, usually from July through September, when the mosquito population is at its peak. West Nile virus is spread to people from infected mosquitoes, most commonly in the summer. Eight out of 10 people infected do not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The public is advised to do their best to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and, if possible, avoiding peak mosquito feeding times, typically around dusk and dawn. "As the weather gets warmer, all Chicago residents are encouraged to Fight the Bite and protect themselves against mosquito bites so they can remain safe and healthy this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said. It is also encouraged to check often overlooked places that may contain water, such as bird baths, water pails, and flower pots. While most people infected with the virus do not feel sick, about one in five will develop a fever and flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms include body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe illness can occur in about one in 150 people and is most likely to occur in people over age 55 or with weakened immune systems. The department said there are no specific medications to treat the virus in people. The best way to prevent getting sick is to prevent mosquito bites.
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County mobile clinic to offer free HIV testing in Hammond Friday
The Lake County Health Department and The Aliveness Project will offer free HIV testing to Lake County residents Friday in Hammond. The testing will be offered Friday as part of National HIV Testing Day, which has been a day of observance for the last 30 years. The Lake County Mobile Clinic will be in the Walgreens Parking lot, 6905 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone between the ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Those with certain risk factors should be tested more frequently, according to a press release from the Lake County Health Department. Early detection and care are crucial for managing HIV, according to the release, and testing remains one of the most effective protocols to end the HIV epidemic. 'HIV testing is an act of self-love. It is a powerful expression of self-respect, compassion, and care, not only for oneself, but for our community. Knowing your HIV status is a key step in protecting your health and the health of others,' according to the release.
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake, Porter counties navigate Health First Indiana budget cuts
The Lake County Health Department will shift its plan for its Health First Indiana key performance indicator for maternal and child health as its program funding from 2025 to 2026 will drastically decrease. Health First Indiana was created by Senate Enrolled Act 4, which was legislation that passed in the 2023 legislative session, to address public health in Indiana. The program establishes a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where each county, after choosing to opt in, can determine which health services to invest in based on community needs. The state funded the program $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Health First Indiana will be funded $40 million per year, $80 million total, said Porter County Health Department Administrator Carrie Gschwind. Porter County received approximately $3.39 million in Health First Indiana funds in 2025, and has been notified it will receive approximately $906,000 in 2026, Gschwind said. 'We will have to cut some programming with the 73% reduction and are currently working with our team and partners to determine the most strategic course of action to make the most impact on the health outcomes of the residents of Porter County, keeping in mind those county-level key performance indicators, in light of the reduced funding,' Gschwind said. Lake County Health Department Administrator Sheila Paul told the Lake County Council Tuesday the department will take a 'big gut punch' after learning it would receive $2.5 million in Health First Indiana funding in 2026 compared to the $9 million received in 2025. 'Lake County deserves a public health infrastructure that is proactive, not reactive. Continued investment is key to making that vision a reality,' said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala. As part of the Health First Indiana program, Lake County established a goal to decrease the rate of mothers not receiving early prenatal care from 33.7% in 2022 to 28% in 2027. Another goal under the same umbrella is to decrease the count of congenital syphilis cases in Lake County from 4 in 2023 to zero in 2027. Initially, the Lake County Health Department had planned to hire six people to meet its key performance indicator for maternal and child health, Paul told the council. But with the decrease in funding, that program was scrapped, she said. Vavilala told the Post-Tribune the plan was to open two maternal health clinics – in the northern and southern portions of the county – staffed with a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, social workers and clerical staff. The clinics and staff would provide comprehensive support to expectant mothers, including prenatal care access, social support and child safety education, Vavilala said. 'Our vision was to take a holistic approach to maternal and infant health, targeting the systemic factors that contribute to poor outcomes,' Vavilala said. 'Disappointingly, with the potential reduction in Health First Indiana funding, we will not have the resources to staff or equip these clinics.' But Vavilala said Lake County is committed to improving prenatal care access. Department officials will continue to work closely with community partners and enhance internal education and outreach to support maternal and child health throughout the county, she said. 'Establishing two fully staffed clinics would require significant investment overall,' Vavilala said. 'While we continue to believe in the importance of these services, the financial realities make this model unsustainable under the revised funding.' Beyond this programming, Vavilala said the Lake County Health Department is still evaluating how else the reduced funds may impact programming. 'Our goal is to maximize impact with the resources we have and to minimize disruption to essential services. At this time, no final decisions have been made, and we are actively engaging with internal teams and local stakeholders to determine the best path forward,' Vavilala said. Health First Indiana was established to help local health departments address health challenges and make health care equitable to all, Vavilala said. So a reduction in the program will impact the county's ability to expand essential services that address pressing public health issues, she said. 'With fewer resources, we may have to scale back or delay programs that directly address health disparities, connect residents to care, and support long-term prevention. This not only limits the reach of our work but also slows progress toward measurable improvements in community health outcomes,' Vavilala said.
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Family First Center of Lake County licensed as behavioral clinic; ‘We … address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally'
The Family First Center of Lake County is taking a significant step in its mission of empowering families by becoming licensed as an Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic after nearly 25 years of helping people with mental and emotional needs. Rachael Chenier, Family First's executive director, said the new designation enables the organization to bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for what it provides to community members for services like counseling, wellness, substance abuse, holistic help and more. 'We take a holistic approach to enable people to be mentally and emotionally stable,' Chenier said. 'We take a thorough approach and address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally.' The Family First Center in Waukegan officially became a Certified Behavioral Clinic on May 1 in its effort to help community members and their families put their lives on a firm footing after experiencing setbacks. Among the services available through Family First are counseling, group counseling and case management, as well as holistic health services like yoga, meditation and participation in a wellness circle. With an ultimate goal of a strong family, Family First strives, 'to nurture, educate and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system,' according to its mission statement. Many Hernandez, Family First's director of operations, said the services are multidimensional, helping people care for their body, spirit and emotions. When more is necessary, it is added to the mix offered. 'We address all their needs,' Hernandez said. 'This is the holistic approach — to be mentally, emotionally and financially stable so the whole family is intact.' In the past, Chenier said Family First financed its operations with grants, donations and events. None of those activities will stop, but the addition of funding from Medicaid and private insurance companies will go a long way toward helping more people. Becoming a certified behavioral clinic is important for many of the people who live in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion and other parts of northeast Lake County. Too often, people wait until the situation becomes too acute. 'The African American and Latino population in this area uses the emergency room at the hospital as their primary care location,' Chenier said. 'All of our services are bilingual. We want to increase the awareness of our services so people know to come to us.' Should a community member need individual counseling, Family First Center founder Evelyn Chenier, Rachel's mother and the director of mental health services, gets involved. Evelyn Chenier is a PhD psychologist and licensed counselor. Should an individual need medication to treat a mental health condition, Everly Chenier said the person is referred to Lake Behavioral Hospital or the Lake County Health Department. She also does play therapy with children. 'It helps with defining issues,' Evelyn Chenier said. 'When you see them play, it can help (to understand) anxiety or anger issues.' Taking a holistic approach, Rachael Chenier said there are times people need help where part of the remedy is available elsewhere. A township — Waukegan, Zion, Benton, Avon or Warren — can help with emergency financial situations like rent or utilities. PADS Lake County helps with homelessness. Unlike many behavioral clinics, Family First officials do not just wait for people to come to them. Hernandez said Family First goes into the community to let people know about what is available and how the organization can help. 'We meet people where they are,' Hernandez said. 'We go all around the county. We let people know all our services are in one location. We take our services out into the community. We call it unity in the community.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Confirmed Measles Cases in Indiana Prompt Action in Lake County
With Indiana reporting its first confirmed measles cases of the year, Lake County health officials are expanding vaccination efforts to guard against a potential spread of the virus. This week, the Indiana Department of Health confirmed six measles cases in Allen County, nearly three hours away from Lake County and its Gary residents. All six cases are related to one another, involving four unvaccinated minors and two adults whose vaccination status is unclear, according to the Indiana Department of Health. This is Indiana's first measles case since a Lake County resident was diagnosed in early 2024. As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 607 confirmed measles cases in 22 jurisdictions across the United States and said the risk to the public remains low. In response, the Lake County Health Department is offering extended hours at two locations in the region, in addition to its daily immunization clinic, without an appointment needed. Vaccination clinics are available at the following locations and dates: Thursday, April 10, 2 to 6 Sportsplex and Community Center6630 Indianapolis Blvd., HammondPhone: (219) 853-7660 Tuesday, April 15, 4 to 8 Dean White Center6600 Broadway, MerrillvillePhone: (219) 980-5911 Daily immunization clinic Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 County Health Department2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown PointPhone: (219) 755-3655 If you are unsure about your or your family's vaccination status, contact the Lake County Health Department for guidance at (219) 755-3655. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be spread easily, particularly among unvaccinated people, through coughing and sneezing. Contact with contaminated air or surfaces can aid the spread of measles. Measles typically starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, usually appearing seven to 14 days after exposure, but symptoms can develop up to 21 days later, according to the Indiana Health Department. Symptoms can also emerge as tiny white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth and/or a rash on the hairline and face, eventually spreading to the back, torso, arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash gradually fades in the reverse order in which it appeared. People born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles, while children under the age of 5 and younger are more at risk for serious complications from exposure, according to the CDC. Measles is entirely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The Lake County Health Department encourages all eligible residents to check their vaccination status and take immediate action if needed. If you present symptoms of measles, the health department recommends residents stay home, avoid public spaces, and contact their health care provider immediately before visiting the doctor's office. The post Confirmed Measles Cases in Indiana Prompt Action in Lake County appeared first on Capital B Gary.
